The masses of two bodies are measured to be 15.7 ± 0.2 kg and 27.3 ± 0.3 kg. What is the total mass of the two and the error in it?
Given: A ± ∆A = 15.7 ± 0.2kg and
B ± ∆B = 27.3 ± 0.3 kg.
To find: Total mass (Z), and total error (∆Z)
Formulae: i. Z = A + B
ii) ±∆Z = ±∆A ± ∆B
Calculation: From formula (i),
Z = 15.7 + 27.3 = 43 kg
From formula (ii),
± ∆Z (± 0.2) + (± 0.3)
=±(0.2 + 0.3)
= ± 0.5 kg
Total mass is 43 kg and total error is ± 0.5 kg.